In The News (7)

“Backpacks of Love” to Assist Victims of Child Abuse and Neglect

During the month of February, Charles County Government, in partnership with the La Plata Police Department, is supporting The Blue Ribbon Project’s Backpacks of Love program with several Charles County drop-off locations. The Backpacks of Love program supports victims of child abuse and neglect by providing children with a backpack of essential necessities to assist them the first 24 to 48 hours when they enter foster care at a moment’s notice.

An officer’s badge tends to be their most recognizable mark. But, how often do we see what’s beyond the badge?

Meet Taylor Pyles, Annapolis Police Department Detective with the Criminal Investigations Division and founder of the non-profit community organization, The Blue-Ribbon Project.

After a decade working as a disc jockey for WNAV 1430 AM in Annapolis, Pyles wanted to take part in something more rewarding, so he traded in his microphone for a badge at the Annapolis Police Department. After working five years in the Patrol Division, Pyles moved to the Criminal Investigations Division where he primarily investigates violent crimes and crimes against children.

As a former foster child himself, Pyles wanted a way to help others in the foster care system. In 2013, he developed a website as a resource for adult survivors of abuse complete with articles on mental health, drug addiction, and more.

Taken from his home at eight years old, Detective Tom Pyles knows what foster care is like from both sides. As a police officer, he is sometimes involved in the removal of kids from their homes. He knows...Read Full Story

By Ben Weathers, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.1:22 p.m. EST, January 23, 2015Tom Pyles opens the backpack and places the items inside out on the table.Toothbrush. Clothes. A green and yellow plush frog.Pyles , a detective with the Annapolis Police Department knows the comfort that the items can bring a child when they've been unexpectedly uprooted and placed into foster care. At 8-years-old, Pyles found himself in that exact situation.Now 41, Pyles is the founder of the Blue Ribbon Project an organization dedicated to helping the adult victims of child abuse and those that grew up in foster care. Pyles, a product of foster care, was looking over for a way to help kids entering the system.Over the past several weeks he has been collecting donations for the project's "Backpacks of Love" program. The 10-year police veteran now has about 20 backpacks ready for children entering the system, as well as a stockpile of donated items.